Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association (자동차안전학회지)

Korean Auto-vehicle Safety Association (한국자동차모빌리티안전학회)
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Experimental Evaluation of Manual and Powered Wheelchairs Using Sled Impact Test

수동 및 전동 휠체어의 충돌 모의 시험(Sled test) 평가 연구

  • 권신욱 (한국교통안전공단 자동차안전연구원) ;
  • 박형원 (한국교통안전공단 자동차안전연구원, 미래차연구본부) ;
  • 이용우 (신한대학교 미래자동차공학과)
  • Received : 2025.10.31
  • Accepted : 2026.04.17
  • Published : 2026.06.30
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Abstract

This study investigates the crashworthiness of commercially available manual and powered wheelchairs when used as vehicle seats. Sled impact tests were conducted in compliance with the ISO 7176-19 standard using three manual and three powered wheelchair models. A four-point tiedown system and a three-point occupant restraint belt were applied in each test to evaluate dynamic crash performance. The structural integrity of the wheelchairs and the injury criteria of the anthropomorphic test device (ATD)-including HIC, neck force, chest acceleration, and femur force were analyzed. Except for one model, the backrest structures of all wheelchairs failed to meet the ISO 7176-19 structural strength requirements, whereas the ATD injury metrics satisfied the KMVSS safety thresholds. Notably, the rear tiedown hooks of powered wheelchairs fractured during impact, indicating that the current ISO standard, which is based on a surrogate wheelchair configuration, may not adequately account for the increased mass and dynamic loads of powered models. The findings highlight the need to reassess and reinforce tiedown strength requirements and to develop supplementary safety criteria that reflect the structural and mass characteristics of powered wheelchairs.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 국토교통부/국토교통과학기술진흥원의 지원으로 수행된 연구임(과제번호 RS-2023-00253588, 자동차전용도로 주행이 가능한 저상 좌석버스 표준모델 개발).

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